Amazon Pixel 6a Battery Recall - Return or Keep. Help Me Decide

Lifeline on 27/07/2025 - 20:09

So I received an email from Amazon yesterday, two years after purchasing this phone. It is for a battery recall. I checked my IMEI but the google website said it wasn't affected. Yet as it's a battery issue, I'd rather be on the safer side. So I spoke to Amazon about it which they're happy to refund the original retail price it if I return the phone.

I received this phone from my wife as I upgraded her to an S24 Ultra, as I had broke my Pixel 5. I much preferred my Pixel 5 over the 6A, but whatever.

So the question is, should I take this offer or just continue on with the 6a. I'll be receiving a 480-500nzd refund which is good since these sell cheaper second hand. But I'm not sure if I want to deal with finding a whole phone and spending more.

I guess my question is what would you do, and what models would you look to upgrade to that isn't too much from the refund price. Perhaps $800 is around what I'd spend at most. I'm not really keeping up with phone tech, but I've always liked pixel cameras processing, which is why I could bare with the 6a. A refurb model isn't an issue for me either.

What do?!

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  • kfr23 on 27/07/2025 - 20:23
    +3

    I'd return it if they were going to give you that much back

  • CheapAzChips on 27/07/2025 - 20:23
    +3

    Take the refund and upgrade. You're not going to get that for your phone after two years.

  • Alan6984 on 27/07/2025 - 21:12
    +2

    I would take into account the likely remaining life of the phone. It will depend on your personal preferences, but I suspect that it is going to be somewhere between 12 and 24 months?

    Then consider: Would you purchase a Pixel 6a knowing that it had a life of, say, 18 months (or whatever you decided above), for say, $480?

    If you would, then keep it, and if not, return it. If you keep it, you are, economically, purchasing it, as is, from yourself, for $480.

    For me - I would return it and get the refund, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily the right decision for you too.

    • Lifeline on 27/07/2025 - 22:08

      You're right, a quick google shows the end of life support ended this month, and security updates end in 2027. Plus battery life degrading.
      Perhaps I'll find a Pixel 8 pro or a S24 (base model, I like the small form factor).

  • ABCDEFG on 28/07/2025 - 06:13
    +1

    I recently moved from a Pixel 5 to an S25 because of the 3G shutdown (P5 doesn't do VoLTE in NZ). I preferred the camera on the Pixel but otherwise it's been painless. I would absolutely take the refund and get something more recent.

    • Lifeline on 29/07/2025 - 18:49

      How do you find the camera?

      • ABCDEFG on 30/07/2025 - 05:36

        I preferred the Pixel, but it's fine. If I was buying on camera alone I probably would have gone another Pixel, I would happily have stuck with it until it died if that had been an option.

  • StevenQ on 28/07/2025 - 21:43
    +2

    I would take the payout and get a Pixel 8 or 9a

  • Lifeline on 29/07/2025 - 18:51

    Was thinking of the pixel 8, but read the battery isn't amazing, and then the 9a (also the 6a etc) have lower quality batteries. Hence my recall… hmm. All the nice bang for buck phones are chinese but I hate being stuck on their roms. I could justify getting a refurbed Xiaomi 14 ultra for the camera alone, but I'd be stuck on their OS which I hate.

    Now I'm reminded of why I hesitated returning the 6a, because choosing a new phone is hard lol.

  • Marcus1 on 08/08/2025 - 22:39

    I also have a Pixel 6a but my problems with it started after a recent software update. Now it only charges intermittently to a maximum of around 10 per cent.
    Tried a factory reset but no luck, still the same. I applied for the battery recall refund as well but that went nowhere.
    Really disappointed with the phone - I won't be buying another Pixel.

    • Lifeline on 11/08/2025 - 09:46

      That sucks. I think cause it was Amazon I purchased through they're more leanient. Did you try the recall link with your IMEI number? Mine didn't appear but I still voiced my concern to Amazon and they sorted it the return which failed and they said I didn't need to send it back and gave me my refund. I also got a new pixel 9a out of it for free using the refund money and gifted Amazon gift credit for the price difference for replacing my phone that was getting returned.
      So i still have my old phone and got a new phone for free 🙃 felt bad but I've emailed Amazon and live chatted but they're ok with it 😳

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